Toy retrieval apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus intended to assist in retrieving toys and other objects that have fallen off a table and to prevent such objects from coming in contact with the ground. The apparatus comprises a bar clamp having a fixed portion and a movable portion mounted on a slide bar for clamping to a table or other flat surface. Affixed to the bar clamp is at least one attachment cord with a fastener adapted to grasp the toy or other object to be retrieved. The movable portion of the bar clamp has a trigger handle and a braking lever which work to tighten and disengage the bar clamp thus enabling a parent or other adult to fasten and unfasten the apparatus to a table or other flat surface with one hand so that the person is free to simultaneously use their other hand for an alternative purpose.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/693,348 filed Jun. 23, 2005 andentitled “Toy Retrieval Apparatus”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When sitting at a table with a young child in a highchair or boosterseat, adults will often times give the child certain toys or otherplaythings for the purpose of entertainment or to occupy the child'sattention. Frequently, the child will be quite young and lack the manualdexterity required to grasp the particular object for more than a fewmoments. Other times, the child may, in an effort to entertain him orherself, attempt to deliberately toss the object. In either situation,the toy or object given to the child will typically fall off the tableand onto the floor. Since the child is fastened into the highchair orbooster seat, the adult typically has to reach down or get up from wherethey are seated in order to retrieve the fallen object. This scenariocan sometimes continuously repeat itself numerous times and can causethe adult great frustration. In addition, the fallen toy may becomedamaged or dirtied from coming in contact with the ground such that itwould not be suitable for further play, thus causing the child to becomerestless or irritated.

Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus that can be attached toobjects such as a child's toys and clamp to a table or other raisedsurface in order to prevent the toys or other objects from falling offthe table and onto the floor. Such a device would be helpful by enablingadults to retrieve a toy that is dropped or thrown without having to getup from the table or bend over. There is an additional need for a devicehaving the aforementioned characteristics with the additional feature ofbeing operable with one hand, such that an adult holding, for example, achild or toy with one hand would be able to mount the apparatus to atable or other flat surface without first having to put the child or toydown.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention meets this need by providing a device that can beattached to toys and other objects in order to allow a person, withouthaving to get up or bend over, to retrieve the attached objects, shouldthey fall or be thrown off the table. The device further provides aconvenient one-handed means for fastening or unfastening the clamp to atable or flat surface so that the person mounting the device is free tosimultaneously use their other hand for an alternative purpose. Theseand other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description.

The apparatus includes at least one toy fastener with an attachment cordand a bar clamp. An example of the type of bar clamp featured in thepresent invention would be the Quick Grip Micro Bar Clamp made by IrwinQuick-Grip, Model No. 53006, or its equivalent. The bar clamp of thepresent invention, which is operable with one hand, can be convenientlyfastened or unfastened to the edge of a table through the use of a fixedjaw and a moveable jaw with a one-way drive means. Each toy fastener ofthe invention is attached to the bar clamp through the use of anattachment cord having two ends, such that the first end of the cord isattached to the bar clamp and the second end of the cord is attached tothe toy fastener. To account for height discrepancies between differenttables or counters, the attachment cords of the present invention can beof varying lengths in order to prevent the toy from coming in contactwith the floor.

The individual toy fasteners of the present invention are adapted to bemounted to certain types of children's toys. When a toy is fastened toone of the toy fasteners and the device is mounted to a table or otherraised surface near the vicinity of where the child is seated, the childis able to freely handle and play with the toy. However, should thechild drop or throw the toy, the bar clamp, toy fastener and attachmentcord work together to prevent the toy from going too far away from thechild or from coming in contact with the ground. A person seated nearthe child or device is then able to pull the attachment cord and,without bending down, able to retrieve the toy for the child so that thechild is able to resume play.

In one embodiment of the invention, the toy retrieval apparatuscomprises a bar clamp, at least one attachment cord and at least one toyfastener which is adapted to grasp the toy to be retrieved. The barclamp features a fixed portion, a movable portion and a slide bar havinga first and second end. The movable portion of the bar clamp isslideably mounted on the slide bar and subject to movement along saidbar. The attachment cord has a first end which is fastened to the barclamp and a second end which is attached to the toy fastener. The firstend of at least one attachment cord may be attached to the fixed portionof the bar clamp or the movable portion of the bar clamp, or both thefixed and movable portions of the bar clamp. In addition, the presentinvention may also feature at least one fitting for fastening the firstend of the attachment cord to the bar clamp. This additional fitting maybe of various sizes and shapes and is intended to give the attachmentcords a greater range of movement around the bar clamp and to provide anlarger point of attachment on the bar clamp for fastening a greaternumber of attachment cords.

One embodiment of the present invention may also feature at least oneattachment cord having a coupling fastened to the first end or thesecond end, or both the first and second ends. This coupling is intendedto assist in fastening the attachment cord to the toy fastener or thebar clamp or the additional fitting fastened to the bar clamp. Thiscoupling can be formed from various materials including for examplemetal or plastic or their equivalents without limitation.

The bar clamp of the present invention may also include a trigger handleand a braking lever on the movable portion in order to assist intightening and disengaging the clamp. While the movable portion of thebar clamp may be manually advanced towards the fixed portion of theclamp in order to fasten the clamp around the edge of a table or othersurface, actuation of the trigger handle advances the movable portion ofthe bar clamp along the slide bar in a direction towards the fixedportion of the clamp. Use of the trigger handle in this manner allows aperson to tighten the device by using only one hand. Alternatively, whenthe bar clamp is tightened around the edge of a table or other surface,actuation of the braking lever on the movable portion of the bar clampdisengages the bar clamp and allows the movable portion of the clamp toadvance along the slide bar in a direction away from the fixed portion.

One embodiment of the present invention may also feature non-abrasiveprotective pads on the fixed and movable portions of the bar clamp.These pads serve as a barrier between the clamp and the surface in whichthe clamp is fastened and are intended to enhance the grip of the clampand prevent the clamp from scratching or causing other damage to thetable or surface once the apparatus is secured into place. The secondend of the slide bar of the present invention may also feature a raisedsection for preventing the movable portion of the bar clamp fromadvancing past the second end of the slide bar and becoming disengagedfrom said bar.

Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbe apparent from the following description and the appended claims whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is had to thefollowing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing,in which: FIG. 1 is a side view of the toy retrieval device inaccordance with the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 illustrates a retrieval apparatus 10 in accordance with thepresent invention. The apparatus 10 includes a quick-action bar clamp11, and at least one toy fastener 12 a, 12 b with attachment cord 13 a,13 b. It will be understood that while multiple toy fasteners 12 a, 12 band attachment cords 13 a, 13 b are illustrated, an apparatus with onlyone cord and toy fastener comes within the spirit and scope of theinvention. In addition, it will be further understood that while onlyone type of toy fastener is shown in FIG. 1, the present invention isnot limited to fasteners having such specific characteristics. Indeed,since the size and shape of the toys and objects intended to beretrieved by the present invention may be vastly different, differenttypes and sizes of fasteners may be used. Such fasteners may includeclips, carabiners, hooks, key rings, suction cups, Velcro and theirequivalents.

The bar clamp 11 of the present invention is generally comprised of afixed portion 20, a movable portion 21, and a slide bar 23. The size ofthe bar clamp 11 may vary in order to be able to clamp to tables orsurfaces with various thicknesses. The fixed portion 20 of the bar clamp11 is affixed proximate one end of the slide bar 23 and the movableportion 21 of the clamp 11 is slideably mounted on the bar 23 such thatit may move either towards or away from the fixed portion 20 of theclamp 11 in order to enable the clamp 11 to fasten to or disengage fromthe edge of a table or other flat surface S. As illustrated in FIG. 1,both the fixed and movable portions of the clamp may have protectivenon-abrasive pads 22 which are intended to enhance the grip of the clamp11 when it is fastened to a surface S and to prevent the clamp 11 fromscratching or causing other damage to the surface S once the apparatus10 is secured in place. The slide bar 23 may also feature a raisedsection 26 proximate the end opposite the fixed portion 20 of the clamp11. This raised section 26 of the slide bar 23 prevents the movableportion 21 of the clamp 11 from withdrawing past the end of the slidebar 23 such that it would separate from the slide bar 23.

The movable portion 21 of the bar clamp 11 has a trigger handle 24which, when actuated by a person tightening the clamp 11, advances themovable portion 21 of the clamp 11 in a direction closer to the fixedportion 20 of the bar clamp 11. The movable portion 21 of clamp 11 mayalso be manually advanced along the slide bar 23 in a direction towardsthe fixed portion 20. When the movable portion 21 of the clamp 11 ismanually advanced into a position where the clamp 11 is fastened aroundthe edge of the raised surface S, the person fastening the apparatus 10may depress the trigger handle 24 in order to further tighten the clamp11 around the surface S. Another feature of the movable portion 21 ofthe bar clamp 11 is a braking lever 25 which permits the movable portion21 to move along the slide bar 23 in a direction away from the fixedportion 20 of the clamp 11. When the clamp 11 is fastened to a surfaceS, a person wishing to disengage the clamp may actuate the braking lever25. When actuated, the braking lever 25 allows the movable portion 21 ofthe clamp 11 to slide in a direction away from the fixed portion 20 thusdisengaging the clamp 11 from the surface S. The trigger handle 24 andbraking lever 25 of the present invention permit a person to fasten andunfasten the retrieval apparatus 10 to a table or other flat surfacewith one hand so that the person is free to simultaneously use theirother hand for an alternative purpose.

The invention embodied in FIG. 1 illustrates a retrieval apparatus 10having toy fasteners 12 a, 12 b and attachment cords 13 a, 13 b. The toyfasteners 12 a, 12 b of the present invention are adapted to be mountedto toys or other objects such that the toys are not able to move aconsiderable distance away the area where the child is located or thebar clamp 11 is mounted. While FIG. 1 illustrates only one type of toyfastener, those of skill in the art will understand that the toyfasteners 12 a, 12 b of the present invention may be composed of variousmaterials and may be of varying sizes in order to accommodate a widevariety of different children's toys.

Those of skill in the art will further understand that the attachmentcords 13 a, 13 b can be made of various materials and can be of varyinglengths. Examples of the type of materials that may be used includeBungee cords, rope, plastic, rubber, nylon, fishing wire and any suchequivalents. The attachment cords 13 a, 13 b may also not be a fixedlength, but may be retractable such that they are able to stretch orrecoil. As shown in FIG. 1, the ends of the attachment cords 13 a, 13 bare fitted with couplings 14. These couplings enable the cords 13 a, 13b to be fastened to both the bar clamp 11 and the toy fasteners 12 a, 12b. Those of skill in the art will understand that the couplings 14 usedto fasten the attachment cords 13 a, 13 b to either the bar clamp 11 ortoy fasteners 12 a, 12 b can be formed from various materials includingfor example metal or plastic or their equivalents without limitation.

The retrieval apparatus 10 may also feature at least one fitting 15,which is intended to connect the couplings 14 of the attachment cords 13a, 13 b to the bar clamp 11. This fitting 15 provides a singleattachment point on the clamp 11 for coupling multiple attachment cords13 a, 13 b and enables the cords to extend from the clamp 11 in anydirection. The fitting 15 therefore allows a user of the retrievalapparatus 10 to attach a greater number of toys and ensures that themovement of these toys around the clamp 11 is not restricted in anyparticular direction. Like the couplings 14 of the attachment cords 13a, 13 b, the fitting 15 may be formed from various materials includingfor example metal or plastic without limitation, and while FIG. 1illustrates the fitting 15 as having a ring-like shape, the shape of thefitting 15 is not limited in this regard.

While FIG. 1 illustrates the attachment cords 13 a, 13 b fastened to thefixed portion 20 of the bar clamp 11, the cords 13 a, 13 b may equallyextend from the movable portion 21 of the clamp 11. The presentinvention may also feature attachment cords 13 a, 13 b extending fromboth the fixed and movable portions of the clamp as well.

The present disclosure includes that which is contained in the forgoingdescription. Although, this invention has been described in itspreferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understoodthat the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only byway of example, and that numerous changes in the details of theelements, compositions and the combination of individual ingredients maybe resorted to without departing from the spirit or scope of theinvention.

1. A toy retrieval apparatus comprising: a bar clamp having a fixedportion, a movable portion, and a slide bar having a first and secondend, the movable portion of said bar clamp being slideably mounted onthe slide bar and subject to movement along said bar; at least oneattachment cord having both a first end and a second end, the first endof said attachment cord fastened to the bar clamp; at least one toyfastener attached to the second end of the attachment cord, the fastneradapted to grasp the toy to be retrieved.
 2. The toy retrieval apparatusof claim 1 further comprising at least one fitting for fastening thefirst end of the attachment cord to the bar clamp.
 3. The toy retrievalapparatus of claim 1 wherein the first end of at least one attachmentcord is attached to the fixed portion of the bar clamp.
 4. The toyretrieval apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first end of at least oneattachment cord is attached to the moveable portion of the bar clamp. 5.The toy retrieval apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first end of at leastone attachment cord is attached to the fixed portion of the bar clampand the first end of at least one attachment cord is attached to themoveable portion of the bar clamp.
 6. The toy retrieval apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the movable portion of the bar clamp has a triggerhandle, said trigger handle for advancing said movable portion alongsaid slide bar in a direction towards the fixed portion.
 7. The toyretrieval apparatus of claim 1 wherein the movable portion of the barclamp has a braking lever for disengaging the bar clamp and allowing themovable portion of said clamp to advance along the slide bar in adirection away from the fixed portion.
 8. The toy retrieval apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the fixed and movable portions of the bar clamp havenon-abrasive protective pads.
 9. The toy retrieval apparatus of claim 1wherein the second end of the slide bar has a means for preventing themovable portion of the bar clamp from advancing past the second end ofthe slide bar.
 10. A toy retrieval apparatus comprising: a bar clamphaving a fixed portion, a movable portion, and a slide bar having afirst and second end, said first end fastened to the fixed portion ofthe clamp, said movable portion slideably mounted on the slide barbetween the first and second ends such that the movable portion of theclamp is subject to movement along the slide bar between the first andsecond ends of said bar; at least one attachment cord having a both afirst and second end fitted with a coupling, the coupling of the firstend of said attachment cord attached to the bar clamp; at least one toyfastener attached to the coupling at the second end of the attachmentcord, the fastener adapted to grasp the toy to be retrieved.
 11. The toyretrieval apparatus of claim 10 further comprising at least one fittingfor fastening the coupling at the first end of the attachment cord tothe bar clamp.
 12. The toy retrieval apparatus of claim 10 wherein thefirst end of at least one attachment cord is attached to the fixedportion of the bar clamp.
 13. The toy retrieval apparatus of claim 10wherein the first end of at least one attachment cord is attached to themoveable portion of the bar clamp.
 14. The toy retrieval apparatus ofclaim 10 wherein the first end of at least one attachment cord isattached to the fixed portion of the bar clamp and the first end of atleast one attachment cord is attached to the moveable portion of the barclamp.
 15. The toy retrieval apparatus of claim 10 wherein the movableportion of the bar clamp has a trigger handle, said trigger handle foradvancing said movable portion of the bar clamp in a direction towardsthe fixed portion.
 16. The toy retrieval apparatus of claim 10 whereinthe movable portion of the bar clamp has a braking lever for disengagingthe bar clamp and allowing the movable portion of said clamp to advancein a direction away from the fixed portion.
 17. The toy retrievalapparatus of claim 10 wherein the fixed and movable portions of the barclamp have non-abrasive protective pads.
 18. The toy retrieval apparatusof claim 10 wherein the second end of the slide bar has a means forpreventing the movable portion of the bar clamp from advancing past thesecond end of the slide bar.
 19. A toy retrieval apparatus comprising: abar clamp having a fixed portion, a movable portion, and a slide barhaving a first and second end, said first end fastened to the fixedportion of the clamp, said movable portion of the clamp slideablymounted on the slide bar between the first and second ends such that themovable portion of the clamp is subject to movement along the slide barbetween the first and second ends of said bar, said movable portion ofthe bar clamp having a trigger handle and a braking lever, said triggerhandle for advancing said movable portion of the bar clamp in adirection towards the fixed portion, said braking lever for disengagingthe bar clamp and allowing the movable portion of said clamp to advancein a direction away from the fixed portion; at least one attachment cordhaving a both a first and second end fitted with a coupling, thecoupling of the first end of said attachment cord attached to the barclamp; at least one fitting for fastening the coupling at the first endof the attachment cord to the bar clamp; at least one toy fastenerattached to the coupling at the second end of the attachment cord, thefastener adapted to grasp the toy to be retrieved.
 20. The toy retrievalapparatus of claim 19 wherein the first end of at least one attachmentcord is attached to the fixed portion of the bar clamp.
 21. The toyretrieval apparatus of claim 19 wherein the first end of at least oneattachment cord is attached to the moveable portion of the bar clamp.22. The toy retrieval apparatus of claim 19 wherein the first end of atleast one attachment cord is attached to the fixed portion of the barclamp and the first end of at least one attachment cord is attached tothe moveable portion of the bar clamp.